Quantification of Carotenoids and Metabolites

Cells were harvested by centrifugation at 12,000g for 5 min. The cell pellet was washed and then extracted in 1 mL acetone at 4°C for 1 h. The mixture was centrifuged at 12,000g, and the absorbance of the supernatant was measured at 470 nm. Neurosporene was quantified as described elsewhere [28 (link)]. Lycopene was quantified using a standard curve of pure standard Lycopene (Sigma). The biomass was determined by measuring cell density (OD₆₀₀). The acetate concentration was determined by HPLC using a C₁₈ column (Agilent), and the glucose concentration was measured using a glucose monitor (SDBI).